Flexible-shank collar or cuff button.



No. 697,812. Patented Apr. l5,' I902.

J. N. CRABB.

FLEXIBLE SHANK COLLAR AND CUFF BUTTON.

(Application filed July 1. 1901.!

(No Model.)

WITNESSES. INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.v

UNTTnn TATES Trice.

PATENT FLEXiBLE-SHANK COLLAR OR CUFF BUTTON.

SPEGIFIGATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,812, dated April 15, 1902.

Serial No. 66,695. (No model.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, JAMES N. CRABB, a citizen of the United States. residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flexible-Shank Collar and Cuff Buttons; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to devices for tie tachably connecting garments orparts of garments together, such devices being known generally as collar-buttons and cuff-buttons, being usually distinguishable only by mere proportions or shapes.

The object is to provide an improved detachable button of the above-mentioned character with a flexible shank or stem which may be used with comfort to the wearer, which will be adapted to conform to the conditions imposed upon such an article, be convenient and durable in use, and be ornamental as well as useful, and at the same time be adapted to be inexpensively produced.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a button constructed substantially in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a view in elevation, showing the manner in which the shank or stem may be flexed as a cuff-button or as when inserting the button in the buttonholes therefor; Fig. 3, an elevation view showing a type of button designed to retain a necktie; Fig. 4, a view in elevation, showing the manner in which the shank or stem may be flexed while the head and the base remain in parallel planes, as when the buttonholes in two or more parts to be connected are not opposite each other or when the button is worn and is forcibly pressed against the person; Fig. 5, a central sectional view longitudinally of the stem, showing the details of construction; and Fig. 6, a sectional view showing a button having a flexible stem connected to two fragments of fabric or parts of garments in which the buttonholes are not opposite, the stem being flexed or bent to conform to the conditions.

Similar reference characters in the several figures of the drawings indicate corresponding parts.

In carrying out my invention I form the button in the various styles or shapes that may be in use or preferred, and a designates the button-head, b the base for the button, and c the shank connecting the head and the base, the latter in some cases being of the same diameter as the head and practicallyidenticalinfunctional qualities. WVhen designed as collar-buttons, the base isusually greater in diameter than the head; but when designed as emf-fasteners the head and the base may be of the same diameter and practically become apair of connected heads. In one form the button-head ct may be oblong, having a short lip 1 at one side of the shank o and a longer lip 2 at the opposite side of the shank.

In construction the whole device is composed of material having the characteristics of rubber,with stiff material embedded in the head and in the base, as in Fig. 5, a being the head,having the stiff practically-unyielding core cl, the shank 0 being of flexible rubber or of suitable flexible material joined integrally to the flange g and the cap f of the head, and Z) being the base, the flange h and cap 2' thereof joined integrally to the shank, with the core c embedded in the base.

The shank should be of such degree of hardness as to not sensibly elongate yet be capable of acting as a cushion under compression, and particularly it should be of such consistency that it may bend laterally. The inserted stiffening-pieces may be composed of any suitable material, and in some cases they may be dispensed with, as the head a and the base I) may be entirely composed of the same material integrally as the shank c and hardened sufficiently to perform their required functions. I

In practical use the device maybeemployed in many ways as are other similarly-shaped buttons now so universally known, but with the difference that the present device may be manipulated with greater case. It will pre vent injury and discomfort to the wearer,especially as a rear collar-button, Where it can- 'not produce pain over the spinal column when the button is forced toward the person,

ico

inasmuch as the shank 0 may be distorted, as in Fig. 6, drawing the parts 3 and 4 of the garment with it,or playing in the buttonholes, if they be slitted in suitable direction. In this figure the holes 5 and 6 are represented as being transversely of the slits and not situated oppositely, as frequently is the case in practice on account of incorrect measurements.

Having thus described myinvention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a flexible button, the combination of the hollow yielding base, the unyielding core in said hollow base extending nearly to the edge thereof, the hollow yielding head, the unyielding core in said hollow head extending nearly to the edge thereof, and the shank attached to said head and to said base, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES N. CRABB. \Vitnesses:

WM. H. PAYNE; E. T. SILvIUs. 

